Summary
Ledgetrapping is an essential strategy for the advantageous fighter to finish off the opponent inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. This scenario occurs after a fighter reaches the ledge, hanging on for their dear stocks or standing by the edge. It’s the safest option to KO the opponent compared to edgeguarding, though it’s also safer for the opponent toregain stage control.
The best way to prevent the opponent from gaining a second chance on stage is to trap them. The optimal method can’t depend on predicting the opponent’s actions, but rather limiting their options to fall into a fatal blow. Several fighters have tools best suited to diminish any time for the opponent to think close to the ledge, including certain projectiles or explosives.
1Link
Explosive Hero
The Hero of the Wilds is the best Link to pressure opponents struggling on the ledge. His greatest pressure tool is his neutral air due to its low-end lag. He can mash the attack to cover the opponent’s options or force them to retaliate, which Link can quickly block to punish.
Though his attacks and speed are slower thanYoung Link and Toon Link, he can easily cover multiple options with his remote bomb. It can explode under his command while being an active hitbox when bouncing on the ground. Even if the opponent stays longer on the ledge or z-catches the bomb, Link can react with his huge forward-tilt or up-special to launch them back offstage.
2ROB
Spinning Out Of Control
ROB doesn’t need a complex strategy to control the stage with the help of his down-special. His gyro is a bothersome projectile that stays active while spinning, though he can only summon one on stage. The issue is that blocking a gyro makes it disappear, letting him immediately charge and throw another one. Even if the fighters z-catch the gyro, they’re left wide open for ROB to close in for a punish.
Despite having decent zoning tools, ROB can box very well at close range. His rotor arm attacks are weak, but very quick to contest opponents, giving them little openings to counterattacks. He can even hit opponents on ledge effectively with down-tilt without any risk. His ignition attacks like neutral air and back air are slow, but very active and powerful on hit. It’s always best to avoid being too close to him since one of his throws buries a fighter into the ground, allowing him to link a devastating attack.
3Peach
Ruling Princess
Princess Peach can easilyreign over her cornered opponentswith her main mechanics: turnips and float. Turnips are a simple solution to pressure opponents from a distance, including when they hang on the ledge. What’s great about her strat is that she can pull as many turnips as she wants while having a rare chance to pull other devastating items. While it’s sometimes best for the opponent to wait, giving the princess enough time to pull her rare turnips or items will only worsen the situation.
Her turnips are one issue, but her float mechanic makes her attacks even scarier. Facing a princess with high mastery over item drop allows her the greatest pressure option against a cornered opponent. She can choose to drop and z-catch the turnips while throwing safe aerials like her down-air and back-air.
4Samus
Hunting Advantage
Samus easily holds her own during ledgetrap situations with herbounty hunter equipment. She can force cornered players to respond with her bombs and missiles. She’s especially troublesome to challenge during her bomb setups since she shifts into a smaller hurtbox and drifts quickly in the air.
The scariest action is her charging neutral-special. It only takes her one input to blast her current charge in front of her while reacting to an opponent’s option. While it does knock the player back, the weaker blasts open up combo routes like dash attack or back-air. Many characters can’t contest Samus since her move is noncommittal, allowing her to cancel her charge for another attack or tether grab.
5Isabelle
Fishing For Advantage
Isabelle seems nice as Tom Nook’s coworker, but she’sa menace when the opponent is trappedon the ledge. Her Lloid and fishing rod help to cover multiple options to catch the cornered opponent. Her fishing rod isn’t a grab, though it easily catches the opponent on ledge before they have time to block.
Not only can she utilize her C4 projectile and mid-range attack throw, but she can also use her pocket. Isabelle can pocket any projectile from certain fighters like Mewtwo and Sephiroth. An opponent that carelessly zones against Isabelle will feel their plan backfire when she can instantly throw the projectile back at them during her ledgetraps.
6Pacman
Fruitful Plan
Pacman can create one of the most elaborate setups with his specials. The use of neutral special offers him multiple options with each fruit designed with varied power, speed, and angles. The worst scenario is when he gets the bell item, which paralyzes the opponent on hit for a KO confirm.
His more advanced setups involve the combined force of his neutral-special and down-special. His hydrant shoots pairs of water that push anything in its direction, including Pacman himself or his fruit. If dealt enough damage, the hydrant can bounce as an active hitbox for the user. If done by Pacman, the cornered opponent has to deal with the angles of his fruit, hydrant, and the hungry user all at once.
7Min-Min
Armed Combatant
Min-Min was designed as one of the dangerous distance demons with her ranged normals. She can zone with physical normals, making it impossible for certain fighters to reflect her attacks. She has three types of arms to enhance either her attack strength or speed. She can cover the ledge easily with her arms, which can angle down toward the opponent.
She mainly covers the horizontal range, though she can cover more options by moving and jumping during her attacks. She even has a tether grab, making it scarier for opponents to shield her long attacks. She’s one of the very few fighters to throw aerial smash attacks, making her punishes more rewarding. What’s better for her is thatshe can also throw another arm behind herif she misreads the opponent’s action.
8Plant
Plan Of Nature
For a low tier, Piranha Plant has amazing options when it gets an advantage. Its best option to handle ledgetrap scenarios is its neutral-special. When using it on stages with platforms near the ledge, it can throw Ptooie on the platform to cover any recovery attempts in the air. The opponent must be careful of the move since it’s very active during the slightest movement, even when held by Plant.
Another great option is Plant’s side special. The poison cloud covers the area before it, dealing quick damage to any enemy within the cloud. It can also hit opponents on the ledge, which forces them to immediately take action before taking too much damage. If Plant stands in the poison cloud, it’s impossible to see what it will do, whether to prepare Ptooie or react to an opponent’s response with its stubby, quick attacks.
9Zelda
Knightly Plan
Zelda is tremendously powerful when she gains the upper hand during the match. Her down-special isthe most fearsome toolthat scares any opponent at a disadvantage. It takes time for her to charge, though it can attack anytime to cover in front of Zelda under her simple command and reaction.
Her method is simple, yet her knight’s large attack makes dodging it tricky. Depending on her charge time can change the attack for an overhead or uppercut slash, limiting the opponent’s choices. With enough charge time, Zelda can move freely with the knight ready to strike, especially when she attacks or grabs the opponent for a devastating slash.
10Shulk
Foreseeing Strategy
Shulk doesn’t require a complex setup since his weapon is more than enough to restrict the opponent’s recovery options. His monado gives him one of the longest sword ranges while providing wide attack coverage. He can poke far with forward smash and back-air while catching any getup options with his forward-tilt and forward-air. It’s difficult to maneuver around his active slashes since he has little end lag, letting him mash the attack constantly.
While his aerials are scary to deal with, what makes them better through stat enhancement ishis monado arts. His speed art is very effective at throwing aerials more quickly with its lower jump height while his buster art can provide him more damage and combo routes. The scariest monado art is his Smash art, which greatly raises his knockback power for easy KOs. Even if the opponent gets off from ledge, a quick smash art throw is all Shulk needs to take a stock.
